Image forming apparatus, image processing system, including the image forming apparatus connectable via a network to at least one service provider that provides a plurality of processing functions method of processing a job, method of controlling a job, and computer readable storage medium including computer-executable instructions

A method for processing a print job performed by an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit to execute an image forming process in accordance with a print setting and being capable of communicating via a network with an external service provider that includes at least one post processing device which is located remote from the image forming apparatus, the method comprising:

• displaying a print setting for using functions available in the image forming apparatus and a print setting for using functions available in the external service provider including functions unavailable in the image forming apparatus on an operation unit operable by a first user who operates the image forming apparatus in a distinguishable condition;
• receiving a print setting command and a print start command for a print job via the operation unit;
• and
• causing the image forming unit to execute a process based on the print setting for using the functions available in the image forming apparatus in print settings included in the print setting command received by receiving step in response to the print start command for the print job received by receiving step;
• and
• transmitting, via the network to the external service provider, an order command including information regarding the print setting so that the functions unavailable in the image forming apparatus and available in the external service provider are executed on a print material output from the image forming apparatus by the external service provider,
• wherein the image forming process executed by the image forming unit includes at least a printing process,
• wherein the functions unavailable in the image forming apparatus and available in the external service provider include at least a post process on printed material, and
• wherein the order command includes information for notifying instruction to a second user of the external service provider, of what the second user operates with the post processing device for completion of the post process on the printed material output from the image forming apparatus.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions for processing a print job performed by an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit to execute an image forming process in accordance with a print setting and being capable of communicating via a network with an external service provider that includes at least one post processing device which is located remote from the image forming apparatus, which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform operations comprising:

• displaying a print setting for using functions available in the image forming apparatus and a print setting for using functions available in the external service provider including functions unavailable in the image forming apparatus on an operation unit operable by a first user who operates the image forming apparatus in a distinguishable condition;
• receiving a print setting command and a print start command for a print job via the operation unit;
• and
• causing the image forming unit to execute a process based on the print setting for using the functions available in the image forming apparatus in print settings included in the print setting command received by receiving step in response to the print start command for the print job received by receiving step;
• and
• transmitting, via the network to the external service provider, an order command including information regarding the print setting so that the functions unavailable in the image forming apparatus and available in the external service provider are executed on a print material output from the image forming apparatus by the external service provider,
• wherein the image forming process executed by the image forming unit includes at least a printing process,
• wherein the functions unavailable in the image forming apparatus and available in the external service provider include at least a post process on printed material, and
• wherein the order command includes information for notifying instruction to a second user of the external service provider, of what the second user operates with the post processing device for completion of the post process on the printed material output from the image forming apparatus.